The Cape is blessed with some of the best scenery in the world, and our roads are not too bad either. The Cape has something to offer for every taste and preference. A lot depends on your riding style and the kind of bike you ride; cruiser or superbike, single or group riding, long-distance or short.
The matter of the best biking roads in the Cape is a very personal choice, and I have my favourites. They are normally half- to full day circular rides, and within the borders of the Western Cape Province.
I don’t like carrying luggage so what can’t fit under the seat, has to stay behind. Besides, I like brisk riding most of the time, and a rugsack is nothing more than a pain above the but when doing this. I prefer not to take pillions for the same reason.
I also find I have to decide what mood I am in beforehand, as it determines the way I will ride, and where to. Will it be a scene-watching cruise or a fast head-clearing burn? Trying to do both on the same trip is asking for an accident. My riding becomes erratic and without rhythm.
The Cape scenery is very distracting, but if I have some stress to burn off, I have to ignore it, because I am flying and need to concentrate on the traffic and the road. This way, I maximise the purpose of my ride, and usually arrive home feeling relaxed.Needless to say, I never tire of the scenery, and will come back a million times. On a scenic cruise I stop often, take photos, have long coffee breaks and chats, and try to forget where home is. In fact, I will sometimes end up being lost, and discover new roads and scenes this way.
Heavy traffic can be a problem on some routes, but that is why breakfast runs were invented. Get the hint? But if you are a late sleeper like me, best to go for the far-out-of-town rides.
These are my favourite rides:
The two oceans around the Cape Peninsula
This is one of the most popular routes with both bikers and cyclists (The Pick-a-Pay\Argus Tour covers this route). I usually mark the end of Camps Bay as the start of the route.
With my mount of choice being a rather impatient, dyno-jetted, quick-shifting, ignition-advanced ZX-6R, this ride became my favourite stress reliever. It helps to know the road well, and the bike seems to follow the bends almost by itself. Heading west on Victoria Drive, the road follows the contours of the imposing Twelve Apostles on the right-hand side, while the wide Atlantic on the right breezes fresh air into my helmet.
The road provides a quite spirited combination of twists. It is usually full of superbikes – even on weekdays - and it is easy to see why. Those wide bends just beg to be leaned into with bursts of open throttle on the straights. Picking up dices with other superbikes is at the order of the day, exploiting the fast and furious nature of the sweeps fully.
But traffic is a constant hazard, and care and good judgement is an essential part of the ride.
All too soon, I usually have to slow down into a small republic called Hout Bay. Rather stop first in the picturesque, little millionaire's village of Llandudno, and visit the nearby Sandy Bay (infamous for its nude sunbathers).
Knee-down addicts will turn back here for another fix. However, I always need to see what is around the next corner and over the hill, so I tackle Chapman’s Peak drive. If you are not on a breakfast run, you’ll be stuck in traffic here for a while, especially with everybody coming to experience the new canopy. While the canopy keeps you safe and out of the sun, it limits the scenery somewhat. And remember, it is a toll road now, so keep some currency handy.
If time and patience is in short supply, the Ou Kaapse Weg from Sun Valley takes you back quickly with a spectacular view of the Cape Peninsula.
It is not until you leave Kommetjie that some space opens up again. After Camel Rock, you can cut across to Red Hill and Simon’s Town, but what’s the hurry? Especially since the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is always a pleasure to rediscover. Empty, secluded beaches, and close-up wild-life makes it as close to an Eden as you can get. A visit to the restaurant at Cape Point usually coincides with lunchtime.
Queens Drive into Simon’s Town and Boyes Drive overlooking Muizenberg makes whale-watching from the saddle a unique kind of ride.
Back in town, Tafelberg Pass and Signal Hill Drive brings the ride to and end. As the sun dips into the Atlantic, I will work my way home either down Camps Bay Drive or Kloof Road, just to capture the last views of the sea and mountains, as if I’m saying goodbye, see you next time, in some nostalgic way.
The whale ride to Hermanus and back
Another traffic-jammed route in daytime, but a superbiker’s delight early morning. These corners are the stuff of heroes, and have a reputation for rewarding the brave and slaying the stupid. Many have met their end here, so take care.
Make sure to visit the Ooskus Fishery in Gordon's Bay for the crispiest slap-chips served with your choice of the catch of the day.
The view across False Bay to Cape Point from Clarence Drive has to be seen to be believed. This view often makes me think of the bay as a huge dam or lake, surrounded by mountains on all sides.
It is sometimes possible to see whales from here in season. What I appreciate about having a bike, is that parking is never a problem, especially when it is so full of traffic in season.
After Rooi Els the traffic thins out and a bit more speed is possible. Slowing down to get through the main road of Kleinmond is a bit of a nuisance, but pedestrians and speedcops make it a necessity!
Hermanus is an incredibly popular weekend getaway town, so traffic picks up again the moment you join the R43. Riding through the town is a nightmare. As a result, it is best to park, take a stroll and enjoy the restaurants and views.
After this, if you have time, money and energy left, take the long way home. Go out to Stanford (perhaps even make a u-turn in the sleepy Gansbaai), and head north-east. The twisty Akkedisberg Pass guides you towards Riviersonderend, but instead, turn left to Caledon at the only intersection you will find. You are now on one the best roads for a fast, sweepy burn. Empty and smooth, you have the chance to get intimate with the upper echelons of your bike’s rev-range. Caledon introduces you the N2, and back home you go.
The snoek ride up the West Coast Road
The speedster’s dream. A long stretch of black-top that can be surprisingly empty on occasion. But beware, a lot of cars like to speed here as well, and the R27 has seen some of the nastiest accidents.
In winter months fog rolling in from the cold Atlantic can be a real hazard, so choose your time to ride carefully, or get a good helmet. Fog seems to come in either late afternoons or over night, clearing only mid- to late morning.
This is also a speedcop’s paradise for the reasons mentioned, so once again, careful…
Make a point of turning into The Strandloper restaurant outside Langebaan on the beach, for fresh snoek and whatever else arrived in the net that day. It is a unique concept, and suits my “roughing it” style.
A slow cruise through the West Coast National Park bring you close to the odd ostrich, but rather do this in the flower season, as you’ll be able to enter the otherwise closed sections of the park.
You can make your turning back point one of many places; Langebaan, Vredenburg or Saldahna. Going the extra mile to Laaiplek and Veldriff is worth the scenery and the fresh snoek.
Still want more? Head east to Piketberg, and follow the N7 back home.
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